Wake Forest Athletics
Get to Know Newly Promoted Linebacker Coach Greg Jones
2/18/2020 6:46:00 PM | Football
Coach Greg Jones has been a key member of the Wake Forest staff during its four consecutive bowl appearances
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After being a key member of the Wake Forest staff during its four consecutive bowl appearances, Greg Jones steps into his first spring camp as the Demon Deacon's linebacker coach.
The rising star in the coaching profession will inherit an experienced linebacker core led by Ja'Cquez Williams and Ryan Smenda, Jr.
Jones has been apart of the foundation of success Coach Dave Clawson has laid at Wake Forest. Since Jones arrival on campus in 2016 as a defensive graduate assistant, the Deac have racked up 30 wins including three bowl victories. Jones earned his master's degree from Wake Forest in 2017.
After having a coaching role in his first three years in Winston-Salem, he spent the 2019 season as the director of player personnel/recruiting for the Deacs, helping sign the two highest rated Wake Forest recruits in the 247Sports era.
Before heading to Wake Forest, rose up the coaching ranks, working in a number of facets including as a defensive coordinator, secondary coach, linebackers coach and special teams coach.
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Jones was a standout linebacker himself at Bucknell where he earned All-Patriot League honors and racked up 257 career tackles.
Along with the job he did on the field, he also took care of business in the classroom. Jones was named to the FCS Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team and graduated magna cum laude from Bucknell in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in history.
More on Demon Deacons linebacker coach Greg Jones:
Wake Forest (2016-present)
Coaching History
Postseason History
Personal Information:
The rising star in the coaching profession will inherit an experienced linebacker core led by Ja'Cquez Williams and Ryan Smenda, Jr.
Jones has been apart of the foundation of success Coach Dave Clawson has laid at Wake Forest. Since Jones arrival on campus in 2016 as a defensive graduate assistant, the Deac have racked up 30 wins including three bowl victories. Jones earned his master's degree from Wake Forest in 2017.
After having a coaching role in his first three years in Winston-Salem, he spent the 2019 season as the director of player personnel/recruiting for the Deacs, helping sign the two highest rated Wake Forest recruits in the 247Sports era.
Before heading to Wake Forest, rose up the coaching ranks, working in a number of facets including as a defensive coordinator, secondary coach, linebackers coach and special teams coach.
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Jones was a standout linebacker himself at Bucknell where he earned All-Patriot League honors and racked up 257 career tackles.
Along with the job he did on the field, he also took care of business in the classroom. Jones was named to the FCS Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team and graduated magna cum laude from Bucknell in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in history.
More on Demon Deacons linebacker coach Greg Jones:
Wake Forest (2016-present)
- A rising star in the industry, Jones spent the past season as the director of player personnel/recruiting for the Deacs.
- In the 247Sports era, signed the two highest rated recruits in Wake Forest history.
- Prior to moving into his recruiting role, he spent the 2018 season analyst
- The Deacs ranked 28th in the country in total offense per game with an average of 449.8 yards per game, 26th in rushing offense with an average of 213.7 yards per game and 34th in scoring offense with 32.8 points per game.
- Wide receiver Greg Dortch ranked seventh in the nation with 7.4 receptions per game, 20th with 89.8 receiving yards per game and 24th with 1,078 total receiving yards.
- In his first two seasons in Winston-Salem, Jones worked as a defensive graduate assistant
- In 2017, defensive back Essang Bassey ranked ninth in FBS and second in the ACC with 1.5 passes defended per game. On the defensive line, current Houston Texan Duke Ejiofor was 15th in the country and second in the ACC in tackles for loss.
- During his first season as a defensive graduate assistant, Wake Forest ranked 23rd in FBS with 22.2 points allowed per game, 18th with a 34.1 third down defense percentage, 22nd with a 77.8 redzone defense percentage and 40th in total defense allowing 370.5 yards per game.
- Over his tenure, moved Cornell from the eighth ranked pass defense to the third ranked pass defense in the Ivy League going from 275.5 passing yards allowed to 229.7 passing yards allowed
- Helped groom safety Nick Gesualdi into an FCS All-American. In 2014, Gesualdi was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year with a league-high four interceptions, which also ranked 23rd in FCS.
- The Big Red defense led the Ivy League in takeaways in 2014.
- In his first season at Cornell, all-conference cornerback Michael Turner ranked third in the Ivy League with three interceptions.
- Before making the leap to the FCS level, Jones spent the 2012 season as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Division-III Kenyon College.
- Ranked second in the conference with 18.0 points allowed per game and 306.7 yards allowed per game while helping Lords to a six-game win increase.
- He was key in a breakout season for linebacker Kolin Sullivan. The junior, who went on to be a two-time All-American, finished fifth in the country with 74 solo tackles, 10th with 20 tackles for loss and 25th with 108 total tackles.
- Assisted with the coaching of special teams units for one season at Rhode Island.
- Began his coaching career as a linebackers coach at Wilkes University (PA) in 2010.
- While at Wilkes he mentored freshman linebacker Tate Moore who led the conference with 130 tackles going on to earn all-conference and all-region honors.
- Earned a bachelor's degree in history from Bucknell in 2010 and graduated magna cum laude. He also was named to the FCS Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team.
- Recorded 257 career tackles and earned All-Patriot League honors as a senior. During his senior campaign in 2009, he tallied a career-high 101 tackles, which ranked second in the Patriot League while tying for fourth in the league with three interceptions.
- Started 30 games in his career at Bucknell, which included all 11 as a senior in 2009. That season he was also named team MVP, the team's most outstanding linebacker and Bison's most inspirational player.
- Earned a bachelor's degree in history from Bucknell in 2010 and graduated magna cum laude. He also was named to the FCS Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team.
- Recorded 257 career tackles and earned All-Patriot League honors as a senior. During his senior campaign in 2009, he tallied a career-high 101 tackles, which ranked second in the Patriot League while tying for fourth in the league with three interceptions.
- Started 30 games in his career at Bucknell, which included all 11 as a senior in 2009. That season he was also named team MVP, the team's most outstanding linebacker and Bison's most inspirational player.
- Resides in Winston-Salem with his wife Jordan.
Coaching History
| Seasons | School/Team | Title/Position Coached |
| 2020-present | Wake Forest | Linebackers |
| 2019 | Wake Forest | Director of Player Personnel/Recruiting |
| 2018 | Wake Forest | Offensive Analyst |
| 2016-17 | Wake Forest | Defensive Graduate Assistant |
| 2013-15 | Cornell | Secondary |
| 2012 | Kenyon College (OH) | Defensive Coordinator/Secondary |
| 2011 | Rhode Island | Special Teams Assistant |
| 2010 | Wilkes University (PA) | Linebackers |
Postseason History
| Season | Bowl Game/Postseason | Opponent | Result |
| 2019 | Pinstripe Bowl (Wake Forest) | Michigan State | L, 27-21 |
| 2018 | Birmingham Bowl (Wake Forest) | Memphis | W, 31-34 |
| 2017 | Belk Bowl (Wake Forest) | Texas A&M | W, 51-52 |
| 2016 | Military Bowl (Wake Forest) | Temple | W, 34-26 |
Personal Information:
- Education: 2010 -- Bachelor's from Bucknell, 2017 -- Master's from Wake Forest
- Wife: Jordan
Players Mentioned
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